CiCM 26th December 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

China organizes symposium for Mao Zedong’s 130^th birth anniversary: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a symposium on 26^th December at the Great Hall of the People commemorating the 130^th birth anniversary of Mao Zedong. The General Secretary of the CPC and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the symposium. Xi Jinping emphasized on reinforcing the causes pioneered by Mao Zedong and invited efforts to develop China into a stronger country. He said that Mao led people to adopt Marxism in the Chinese context, giving rise to the great, glorious and correct CPC. He stressed that Chinese modernization is a socialist modernization led by the CPC that can be made stronger by making the Party stronger. He highlighted the need to improve the “one country, two systems” policy and make sure the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. He further pointed out that the part will strictly prevent anyone from making Taiwan separate from China by any means. Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee such as Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng also participated in the symposium.
China prompts India to provide a fair business climate for its companies: China has urged India to provide a fair, non-discriminatory, transparent business environment for Chinese companies after India’s Enforcement Directorate arrested two employees of Chinese smartphone company Vivo’s India unit. A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, explained that the ministry has taken serious note of the issue and that the Chinese embassy and consulates located in India will continue providing consular protection to the concerned individuals as per the law. Mao stated that the Chinese government strongly supports Chinese businesses operating in other countries by making sure their lawful rights and interests are protected. She said that India would hopefully recognize the mutually beneficial nature of its business collaboration with China and provide a just and transparent business environment. Vivo’s India unit expressed that the arrests recently have exhibited continued harassment and an uncertain environment among the wider industry landscape.
The Standing Committee of the 14^th National People’s Congress begins its seventh session: China’s top legislature, the Standing Committee of the 14^th National People’s Congress, began its seventh session on December 25 to review several draft laws and law revisions. The amendments to the legislation are highly-focused and primarily aim to address new social situations, recent issues and upcoming technologies. This seventh session focused on reviewing the draft amendments to laws such as the Organic Law of the State Council, the Company Law, the Charity Law, the food security law, the Criminal Law, the Emergency Response Management Law and a law on rural collective economic organizations. The draft amendment to the Charity Law states that governments at the county level and above should collaborate and guide competent departments in supporting and regulating the development of charity programs within the range of their respective duties. The draft food security law concentrates on the national food security strategy, enhances the food supply system and ensures that people get sufficient food supply. The draft emergency response management law defines the information to be included in warning alerts and specifies the establishment of a sound warning release platform and channels for rapid dissemination of warning information.
China implements zero-tariff treatment for six least-developed African countries: The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council announced on 6^th December that 98 per cent of taxable products from six least-developed African countries such as Angola, the Gambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mali and Mauritania will be exempt from import tariffs. This provision officially took effect on Monday 25^th December. Experts and players in the industry have expressed that this attempt will boost trade between China and Africa while it demonstrates China’s cooperation with other markets. "With zero tariffs, these countries could expand the sales channels for their local produce, find new ways to generate foreign exchange reserves and create jobs," said Sarah Wang, the executive director of Beijing Wise Century Trading Co. which sells a lot of African products. Media reports state that 21 African countries have benefitted from China’s elimination of tariffs on 98 per cent of their taxable products in the last two years. This tax exemption implementation can be seen as a significant move by China recognizing its responsibility under the WTO-led Aid for Trade Initiative along with fulfilling its commitments made at the 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in 2021. China has remained Africa's second-largest export destination for agricultural products in 2022, with total imports amounting to $5.20 billion.
Five departments jointly issued suggestions to expedite the construction of a national integrated computing power network: Five departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Data Administration, the Central Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the National Energy Administration jointly issued the "Implementation Opinions on Deeply Implementing the Eastern Data and Western Calculation Project to Accelerate the Construction of a National Integrated Computing Power Network" recently. They propose that the comprehensive computing power infrastructure system will be initially formed by the end of 2025. They focus on the integrated layout of general computing power, intelligent computing power and supercomputing power; the integrated application of computing power, data, and algorithms; and the integration of computing power and green power. They aim to promote the construction of a national integrated computing power network that is easy to use, inclusive, green and safe. They plan to reinforce overall coordination, introduce policy incentives, enhance research and development of common technologies and ensure that goals and tasks are implemented.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA
Shanghai court decision to let a market stall owner inherit a deceased man’s assets provokes discussion on Chinese social media: The Baoshan District People’s Court produced a verdict earlier this month stating that all the property of a late Mr. Ma should be transferred to a fruit stall owner. This verdict received enormous online support once the details of the case were revealed. Three years ago, Ma’s death caused a stir when notary officials witnessed his decision to leave his entire estate worth 3.3 million yuan to a fruit seller who shared no relations to him in . The fruit seller, surnamed Liu, was invited by Mao years ago to move into his home with his wife and three children. An agreement was signed between them in 2020 stating that Liu was responsible for taking care of Ma till he died after which all his property would be passed to him. However, Ma’s relatives denied the agreement and claimed that Ma had developed mental illnesses including Alzheimer’s and lacked the psychological capacity to sign the document. However, notary officials refuted those claims. Reports state that Liu was the sole person who handled everything when Ma’s only son died suddenly and no relatives of Ma attended the funeral. When Ma once fell unconscious at home, Liu found him and admitted him to a hospital remaining his only visitor during his stay. As the truth came to light, the court’s verdict intrigued more than 100,000 comments and online interactions. A netizen commented that the judgment is fair and reasonable recognizing that good deeds bring good fortune. Another netizen expressed their perspective saying that they will be kind to the person who is kind to them.

INDIA WATCH

India’s recent move of arresting two senior employees from the Indian unit of Chinese smartphone vendor Vivo can be seen as one of India’s attempts to respond to the border security tensions between India and China through the business domain. Just two months ago, four executives including a Chinese national from Vivo were arrested by India’s Enforcement Directorate on money laundering charges similarly. Since the deadly border clash in 2020, India subsequently banned TikTok and dozens of other Chinese-developed apps accusing them of posing a threat to India’s security. This was also followed by a tax evasion investigation into the telecom equipment giant Huawei and the seizure of $725 million from the smartphone company Xiaomi in 2022 on charges of illegal foreign exchange transfers. Calls to “boycott Chinese goods” became popular since the border clash. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has been actively working since 2020 on its boycott of Chinese products campaign across the country. However, despite the demand to boycott Chinese goods, India’s imports from China have only increased since 2020. While India’s exports to China declined by over 28 per cent to $15.32 billion in 2022-23, the imports from China increased by 4.16 per cent to $98.51 billion in the previous fiscal year. The trade gap between the two countries had broadened to $83.2 billion in FY23 in comparison to $72.91 billion in 2021-22. While the patriotic emotions encouraging the boycott of Chinese goods can be justified, it is important to understand that such a huge change cannot be easily implemented. India can slowly start reducing dependency on Chinese products by partnering more with others like Japan, South Korea, Europe and the US. India can further reinforce self-reliance measures in major sectors where India is a net-importer with goals such as “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”.

Prepared By

Adhithi Senthilkumar

Adhithi Senthilkumar is an undergraduate student pursuing a major in International Studies and a minor in Public Policy at FLAME University, Pune. She is fascinated by the complex dynamics of international relations and the substantial impact that policies can have on communities around the globe. Her passion for studying history, societies and contemporary global and domestic politics has been a driving force in her academic journey. She has participated in internships, attended conferences and engaged in volunteer work related to public policy gaining valuable insights into real-world application of policies. She aspires to apply her knowledge and skills to contribute to addressing pressing global issues and collaborate with like-minded individuals to make a positive difference through policymaking.